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Supplement Ingredients
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The Calming Benefits of Passionflower Tea and Supplements

November 29, 2022
Fact checked
Written by Kim Erickson
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Natacha Montpellier, ND, B.Sc.
  1. Wellness blog
  2. The Calming Benefits of Passionflower Tea and S...

Nothing is more soothing than a steaming cup of herbal tea—and that’s particularly true for passionflower tea. The dried leaves from this uniquely beautiful flowering vine were historically used as a calming herb throughout Central and South America, as well as by Native American tribes. (7) The tea has also been long used in folk medicine to treat burns, diarrhea, epilepsy, hemorrhoids, and the symptoms of premenstrual symptoms (PMS). (15) Today, however, passionflower is primarily valued for its ability to ease anxiety and improve sleep. (20)

What is passionflower?

Although there are about 520 different species in the Passifloraceae family, the type most commonly used for tea and supplements comes from one known as Passiflora incarnata. (7) This particular type of passionflower contains many healthy compounds, especially alkaloids that give the herb it’s calming and sleep-inducing capabilities. (13)(19) These alkaloids work by influencing important neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. (1)(4) 

Other research notes that passionflower also regulates another neurotransmitter called  gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA creates calm by blocking certain brain signals and decreasing activity in the central nervous system. (3)

If that wasn’t enough reason to enjoy a cup of passionflower tea, this botanical also boasts anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. (11)(13) These attributes may be why some studies link passionflower to many health benefits beyond its ability to relieve anxiety and sleep issues. 

passionflower tea
The active compounds in passionflower tea are responsible for its calming effect on the brain and the body.

Passionflower tea and supplement benefits

For centuries, people have been drinking passionflower tea for its relaxing properties. Now, modern research has confirmed several benefits of this herb, including its ability to calm.

1. Eases anxiety

A cup of passionflower tea or a passionflower extract may be an effective way to alleviate everyday stress and anxiety. In one study of 36 people diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, taking a passionflower extract was found to be just as effective as oxazepam—a pharmaceutical sedative often used to treat anxiety and depression—and with fewer side effects like drowsiness, diarrhea, or low sex drive. (2) 

A larger trial of 200 people scheduled to undergo dental surgery found that taking supplemental passionflower an hour before surgery quelled anxiety just as well as the sedative midazolam. (6) Together, these two clinical trials suggest that passionflower may be a safe and effective solution for mild to moderate anxiety.

While a passionflower extract may work well for those who experience mild or occasional anxiety, it may work even better in those with more severe anxiety. (12) There’s also some evidence that passionflower can act as an effective complement to conventional antidepressant drugs like Sertraline in people struggling with more pronounced mood disorders. (18) If you are currently taking an antidepressant, talk with your healthcare practitioner before adding in a passionflower extract.

man laying in bed holding his hands over his mouth
Passionflower has been shown to safely and effectively calm anxiety and help ease you to sleep.

2. Induces sleep

Nothing is more frustrating than the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. But a cup of passionflower tea before bedtime has been found to improve both the quality and the quantity of sleep. (9)(17) Animal studies report that passionflower may accomplish this by increasing deep sleep (the portion of sleep when your body repairs itself), reducing REM sleep (the phase when memories are formed), and lessening the time it takes to fall asleep. (9)

How does that translate to people? In one trial, 41 young adults drank a cup of passionflower tea each night for a week. After a week-long washout period, the participants then unknowingly drank a placebo tea each night for another week. All of the participants also kept a sleep diary throughout the study. At the end of the trial, the researchers concluded that, unlike the placebo tea, the passionflower tea significantly improved sleep quality in those with mild sleep problems. (16)

Passionflower may also improve sleep in people suffering from insomnia. One two-week trial involving 110 people who had been diagnosed with insomnia disorder reported that those in the passionflower extract group experienced a significant increase in the time they slept compared to those taking a placebo. (14)

3. May support metabolic health

Animal research suggests that a passionflower extract may also help those with metabolic problems by reducing blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and weight. (10) However, more research needs to be done to verify these effects in humans. 

4. Reduces menopausal symptoms

Menopause can send a person on a rollercoaster of symptoms. While hot flashes are the most widely cited side effect of menopause, fluctuating hormone levels can also cause anxiety, headache, mood swings, and poor sleep. Clinical trials report that passionflower can help relieve the anger, depression, headache, and insomnia that commonly impact a person’s quality of life as they experience this hormonal transition. (13)(21) 

The herbal extract may also help to treat vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats in individuals experiencing premature menopause. (21) A six-week study of 59 menopausal women found that a passionflower extract relieved hot flashes, insomnia, and mood problems in as little as seven days. (8)

woman making a cup of tea
Brewing a cup of passionflower herbal tea can be a relaxing way to end a hectic day.

Passionflower tea recipe

Brewing a cup a passionflower tea is the traditional way of accessing the herb’s benefits—and it’s one that’s still popular today. To prepare a cup of the tea, simply infuse 1 tablespoon (tbsp) of dried passionflower (or one tea bag) in 1 cup of boiling water. Steep the tea bag for at least five to seven minutes. If using loose passionflower, strain the liquid into a serving cup and sweeten with honey if desired. 

 Did you know? Passionflower tea tastes mild with grassy notes and an earthy undertone.

Passionflower tea side effects

Passionflower, as a tea, is generally considered safe. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, passionflower extract has been safely used daily in studies lasting up to eight weeks. (20)

However, passionflower can cause the following side effects in some people:

  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Uncoordinated movement (ataxia) (20)

Although typically safe on its own, passionflower may interact with some drugs that depress the central nervous system and slow down the messages between the brain and the body. These drugs include barbiturates and benzodiazepines. (5)

Did you know? Pregnant women should avoid taking passionflower as it may induce contractions in the uterus. (20)

The bottom line

Passionflower, as either an extract or a tea, is an effective way to lessen the feelings of anxiety and improve sleep. Studies show that it may also help to reduce the risk of metabolic conditions and relieve at least some of the symptoms associated with menopause. While more studies need to be conducted on passionflower’s benefits, it’s generally considered safe, especially when taken as a tea. However, if you are taking a prescription antidepressant or other drug that affects mood or behavior, it’s wise to talk with your healthcare practitioner prior to using passionflower as a tea or supplement. 

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References
  1. Abourashed, E.A., Vanderplank, J., & Khan, I.A. (2003) High-speed extraction and HPLC fingerprinting of medicinal plants – II. Application to harman alkaloids of genus Passiflora. Pharmaceutical Biology, 41(2), 100-106. 
  2. Akhondzadeh, S., Naghavi, H.R., Vazirian, M., Shayeganpour, A., Rashidi, H., & Khani, M. (2001). Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics, 26(5), 363-7. 
  3. Appel, K., Rose, T., Fiebich, B., Kammler, T., Hoffmann, C., & Weiss, G. (2011). Modulation of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system by Passiflora incarnata L. Phytotherapy Research, 25(6), 838-843. 
  4. Berlowitz, I., Egger, K., & Cumming, P. (2022). Monoamine oxidase inhibition by plant-derived β-Carbolines; Implications for the psychopharmacology of tobacco and ayahuasca. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 886408. 
  5. Camfield, D, et al (eds.). (2017). Herb and nutrient-drug interaction table. Evidence-Based Herbal and Nutritional Treatments for Anxiety in Psychiatric Disorders, 185–208.
  6. da Cunha, R.S., Amorim, K.S., Gercina, A.C., de Oliveira, A.C.A., Dos Santos Menezes, L., Groppo, F.C., & Souza, L.M.A. (2021). Herbal medicines as anxiolytics prior to third molar surgical extraction. A randomized controlled clinical trial. Clinical Oral Investigations, 25(3), 1579-1586.
  7. Engels, G. & Brinckmann, J. (2016). Passionflower. Herbalgram, 112, 8-17.
  8. Fahami, F., Asali, Z., Aslani, A., & Fathizadeh, N. (2010). A comparative study on the effects of Hypericum Perforatum and passion flower on the menopausal symptoms of women referring to Isfahan city health care centers. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 15(4), 202–207.
  9. Guerrero, F.A. & Medina, G.M. (2017). Effect of a medicinal plant (Passiflora incarnata L) on sleep. Sleep Science (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 10(3), 96–100. 
  10. Gupta, R.K., Kumar, D., Chaudhary, A.K., Maithani, M., & Singh, R. (2012). Antidiabetic activity of Passiflora incarnata Linn. in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 139(3):801-806.
  11. Hameed, I.H., Cotos, M.R.C., & Hadi, M.Y. (2017). Antimicrobial, antioxidant, hemolytic,  anti-anxiety, and anti-hypertensive activity of Passiflora species. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 10(11), 4079-4084.
  12. Janda, K., Wojtkowska, K., Jakubczyk, K., Antoniewicz, J., & Skonieczna-Żydecka, K. (2020). Passiflora incarnata in neuropsychiatric disorders-a systematic review. Nutrients, 12(12), 3894. 
  13. Kim, M., Lim, H.S., Lee, H.H., & Kim, T.H. (2017). Role identification of Passiflora Incarnata Linnaeus: A mini review. Journal of Menopausal Medicine, 23(3), 156–159. 
  14. Lee, J., Jung, H.Y., Lee, S.I., Choi, J.H., & Kim, S.G. (2020). Effects of Passiflora incarnata Linnaeus on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 35(1):29-35.
  15. Miroddi, M., Calapai, G., Navarra, M., Minciullo, P.L., & Gangemi, S. (2013). Passiflora incarnata L.: ethnopharmacology, clinical application, safety and evaluation of clinical trials. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 150(3), 791-804. 
  16. Ngan, A. & Conduit, R. (2011). A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passion- flower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality. Phytotherapy Research,  25, 1153-1159. 
  17. Ngan, A. & Conduit, R. (2012). Passionflower tea consumption and sleep health. Tea Consumption and Health, 195-214.
  18. Nojoumi, M., Ghaeli, P., Salimi, S., Sharifi, A., & Raisi, F. (2016). Effects of passion flower extract, as an add-on treatment to Sertraline, on reaction time in patients ‎with generalized anxiety disorder: A double-blind placebo-controlled study. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, 11(3), 191–197.
  19. Ozarowski, M., Piasecka, A., Paszel-Jaworska, A., Siqueira de A. Chaves, D., Romaniuk, A., Rybczynska, M., Gryszczynsja, A. … Thiem, B. (2018). Comparison of bioactive compounds content in leaf extracts of Passiflora incarnata, P. caerulea and P. alata and in vitro cytotoxic potential on leukemia cell lines. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, 28(2), 179-919.
  20. Passionflower. (2020). National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/passionflower
  21. Ramasamy, D.K., Nachimuthu, G., & Dutta, T. (2019). Combination therapy to target the neuronal origin of menopausal symptoms. Indian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research, 6(1), 83-86.

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The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

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